DUCK HUNTS.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3059, 4 December 1878, Page 2

DUCK HUNTS.

,It should be generally known that there are duck hunts which have no omet element in them,, avd votherai. which no hutdane person canpounTenarice. Recent convictions have taken place,of persons engaged in hunting living'ducks thrown into the water from, boats. The sport consists in. the efforts of men to catch each animal after it alights in, the water;. and inevitable cruelty folWs the clutching of the animal, and sometimes ends in its mutilation, when -two. contending swimmers seize'it simultaneously,'and tear its.wings or limbs. The public should,be;,on,tbe alert when regatta or ,fetes are announced, and by a timely monition to the committee' organising such entertainments, they,' may .prevent much cruelty. Sometimes, however, our readers wi'l discover in ,the advertisement assurance that another kiiid of - pleasure altogether willbe provided, when perhaps the most amusing event of the day will be the duck hunt. This consists of a man who can both row and swim welt challenging a crew of three or four to catch him. In this case Jack Tar is the "duck,? and some of the coastguards form the crew. Jack starts in his boat, and is hotly pursued by the " sportsmen," but by a series of clever manoeuvres, and equally clever dodging, he' manages to evade them for the appointed' time 'of fifteen minutes. It is wise, however, in every case where the announcement' does not infinitely indicate, the n&jture of the amusement, to inquire of the secretary of the regatta or foie, and thus support public opinion, against the abuse of d.aeks when used in the disgraceful .manner referred to above. .■• ;•<<-■ „.,., „